Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF or Rizin) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.[1][2]

For the 2022 season, see 2022 in Rizin Fighting Federation.
Rizin Fighting Federation
TypePrivate
IndustryMixed martial arts promotion
Founded2015 (2015)
FounderNobuyuki Sakakibara
Headquarters
Minato-ku, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Nobuhiko Takada
ParentDream Factory Worldwide
Websitejp.rizinff.com/_tags/English

Rizin was founded to be the spiritual successor of Pride FC and DREAM, the organization carries much of the philosophy and ambition of its two predecessors: its events are promoted as larger-than-life events with elaborate opening ceremonies and fighter entrances, its matches are fought in a roped ring and it has a more permissive ruleset compared to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, inherited from Pride and DREAM. The organization also promotes "Grand Prix", single-elimination tournaments where fighters have to fight multiple opponents in the same night.[3][4] Rizin is considered Japan's top MMA promotion.[5]

Rizin has also promoted kickboxing matches, with two "Grand Prix" tournaments in 2017[6] and 2021.[7]

The promotion's name is a combination of "Raijin", the Japanese god of lightning; the word "rising", meaning "to prosper and thrive"; and the letter, 'Z', meaning "ultimate".[8]

History

In 1997, PRIDE Fighting Championships was founded in Japan, promoted by Dream Stage Entertainment. The organization quickly rose up to become the world's most popular MMA promotion and helped to popularize the sport in Japan and in the world. Its events were broadcast to millions through free-to-air and pay-per-view television, and it filled sport stadiums with hundreds of thousands of spectators. PRIDE differentiated itself from the UFC with its focus on spectacle and entertainment, as well a more permissive ruleset.[9] By 2007, however, Pride closed its doors due a scandal showing its ties to the Yakuza causing a financial crisis in the company. DSE was bought by Zuffa—UFC's holding company—which initially promised to keep the event running, but eventually cancelled the plans, laid off most of the staff and just absorbed Pride's best fighters. [9] As a response, most of DSE's former staff, fighters and executives joined Fighting and Entertainment Group, the promoters of K-1, to organize a successor, which became known as DREAM.[10] However, FEG eventually had its own financial issues and went bankrupt in 2012, as a result. DREAM was defunct.[11]

Three years after DREAM folded, rumors began circulating that Pride and Dream founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara would return to the industry after an interview with Bellator MMA President Scott Coker was released.[12]

On September 19, 2015 during Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1, it was announced that Sakakibara had signed former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko to headline a New Year's Eve Show in Tokyo for his new MMA promotion.[13] Sakakibara held a press conference on October 8, 2015 with Nobuhiko Takada and other former Pride FC employees to formally announce the launch of Rizin Fighting Federation.[14] Initial signees included Kazushi Sakuraba, Shinya Aoki, as well as female competitors Gabi Garcia and RENA.[15]

A Grand Prix tournament was announced (held at 100 kg or roughly 220 lbs), with champions and competitors from Bellator, KSW, Jungle Fight,[16] BAMMA, and King of Kings. Most notably, King Mo was announced to represent Bellator in the tournament.[17] The 8-man bracket was officially finalized on November 30, 2015, with other bouts also being announced shortly thereafter.[18][19][20][21] Kron Gracie (whose father Rickson competed at the inaugural PRIDE event) was announced to participate against Asen Yamamoto.[22] Amongst the veterans in the Japanese scene, Tsuyoshi Kosaka would face James Thompson,[23] and Akebono Tarō would face Bob Sapp.[24]

Initial plans were to do at least four events per year, as opposed to the more frequent scheduling of other promotions, in order to build up the excitement and anticipation.[25] Rizin's presentation is modeled after major sporting events, such as the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.[26]

In 2018, it was announced that the main event for the traditional new years eve card (Rizin 14) was going to be a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and undefeated Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.[27] The match ended up with Nasukawa knocked out two minutes into the first round.[28]

In November 11, 2021 Rizin broke the tradition of PRIDE and DREAM by for the first time holding an event in a cage instead of the traditional roped ring at the Rizin Trigger 1st event.[29]

Broadcasting and coverage

Rizin's inaugural event was broadcast in North America on Spike TV.[30] Other broadcasters have included SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Fuji Television, Fox Sports Brazil, Kix and Match TV.[31] From 2017 to 2019, Rizin events have been streaming on FITE TV in North America and Europe.[32] As of RIZIN 26, they have been streaming on LIVENow.

Weight classes
Weight class name Upper limit Gender
Atomweight 47 kg (103.6 lb) Feminine
Super Atomweight 49 kg (108.0 lb) Feminine
Light Flyweight 53 kg (116.8 lb) Feminine
Flyweight 57 kg (125.7 lb) Masculine
Bantamweight 61 kg (134.5 lb) Masculine
Featherweight 66 kg (145.5 lb) Masculine
Lightweight 71 kg (156.5 lb) Masculine
Welterweight 77 kg (169.8 lb) Masculine
Middleweight 85 kg (187.4 lb) Masculine
Light Heavyweight 95 kg (209.4 lb) Masculine
Heavyweight 120 kg (264.6 lb) Masculine
Openweight No weight restriction Masculine / Feminine

Rules

The rules in Rizin FF have been adopted from Pride FC with some slight modifications over the years. Like Pride and Dream, Rizin rules highly differ from the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.[33]

Match length

There are three types of matches in Rizin FF:

1. Rizin single matches – These are three rounds in length. The first round spans ten minutes with the final two rounds lasting five minutes each. This was discontinued starting with RIZIN.10 in May, 2018. Since then, matches have been three rounds of five minutes each.

2. Rizin tournament matches – These are three rounds in length, with each round lasting five minutes.

3. Women's matches – These are three rounds of five minutes.

Judging criteria

Fights are judged on the following criteria:

  • Damage: when assessing damage, both striking and grappling are given the same weight. The judges will place value on the extent to which the effective striking or grappling 'influences the match' - in other words, whether there was such damage/advantage to the fighter which would have led to the fight being ended by the opponent tapping out or being knocked out.
  • Aggressiveness: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in delivering attacks which may end the fight in a finish. Note this element does not take into consideration the actual impact of damage caused by the fighter's strikes, throws or submission. Rather, the judges will place value on whether fighters were aggressive and proactive in their approach during the fight.
  • Generalship: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in dominating the pace, place and position of the fight. Judges will also consider the amount of time spent in a ground position or the standing position.

Although not outlined in the RIZIN rules, scorecards published on the JMOC website suggest that damage, aggressiveness and generalship are scored 50, 30 and 20 points respectively. Where the fighter has not fulfilled the element, they are given a score of zero - there are no in-betweens.[34]

Differences from Unified Rules of MMA and PRIDE
  • All attacks to the head are allowed, regardless of the fighter being grounded or standing up. This includes soccer kicks, knees, and stomps. However, if there is a weight discrepancy of 15 kg (33 lb) or more, the lighter fighter is allowed to choose if such ground attacks are permitted. Any kicks, knees or stomps on the head of a grounded opponent are considered fouls in the Unified Rules.
  • Unlike PRIDE, Rizin FF allows for use of elbow strikes, which are permitted in the Unified Rules. Additionally the 12-6 elbow, illegal under the Unified Rules, is legal in the Rizin FF ruleset.[35]

List of Rizin FF events
Main articles: 2022 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2021 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2017 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2016 in Rizin Fighting Federation, and 2015 in Rizin Fighting Federation
# Event Date Venue Location Attendance
38 Rizin 33 - Saitama December 31, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 22,499
37 Rizin Trigger 1 November 28, 2021 World Memorial Hall Kobe, Japan 4,025
36 Rizin 32 - Okinawa November 20, 2021 Okinawa Arena Okinawa, Japan 4,771
35 Rizin 31 - Yokohama October 24, 2021 Pia Arena MM Yokohama, Japan 7,580
34 Rizin Landmark Vol. 1 October 2, 2021 Tokyo, Japan -
33 Rizin 30 – Saitama September 19, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 7,580
32 Rizin 29 – Osaka June 27, 2021 Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka, Japan 4,796
31 Rizin 28 – Tokyo June 13, 2021 Tokyo Dome Tokyo, Japan 9,317
30 Rizin 27 – Nagoya March 21, 2021 Nippon Gaishi Hall Nagoya, Japan 4,558
29 Rizin 26 – Saitama December 31, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 9,978
28 Rizin 25 – Osaka November 21, 2020 Osaka-jō Hall Osaka, Japan 5,487
27 Rizin 24 – Saitama September 27, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 5,000
26 Rizin 23 - Calling Over August 10, 2020 Pia Arena MM Yokohama, Japan 4,410
25 Rizin 22 - Starting Over August 9, 2020 Pia Arena MM Yokohama, Japan 2,805
24 Rizin 21 - Hamamatsu February 22, 2020 Hamamatsu Arena Hamamatsu, Japan 6,832
23 Rizin 20 - Saitama December 31, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 29,315[36]
22 Rizin 19 - Osaka October 12, 2019 Edion Arena Osaka, Japan 5,098
21 Rizin 18 - Nagoya August 18, 2019 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Nagoya, Japan 6,281
20 Rizin 17 - Saitama July 28, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 16,930
19 Rizin 16 - Kobe June 2, 2019 World Memorial Hall Kobe, Japan 8,107
18 Rizin 15 - Yokohama April 21, 2019 Yokohama Arena Yokohama, Japan 12,914
17 Rizin 14 - Saitama December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 29,105[37]
16 Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 7,498[38]
15 Rizin 13 - Saitama September 30, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 27,208
14 Rizin 12 - Aichi - Ken August 12, 2018 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Nagoya, Japan 5,567
13 Rizin 11 - Saitama July 29, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 17,912
12 Rizin 10 - Fukuoka May 6, 2018 Marine Messe Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan 7,910
11 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 18,316
10 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 15,539
9 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 2 October 15, 2017 Marine Messe Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan 7,732
8 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1 July 30, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 17,730
7 Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura April 16, 2017 Yokohama Arena Yokohama, Japan 12,729
6 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 19,357
5 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round December 29, 2016 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 16,642
4 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round September 25, 2016 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 15,011
3 Rizin 1 April 17, 2016 Nippon Gaishi Hall Nagoya, Japan 7,291
2 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 18,365
1 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba December 29, 2015 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 12,214

Current champions
DivisionChampionSinceDefenses
Light Heavyweight Vacant
Lightweight Roberto de Souza June 13, 2021 2
Featherweight Juntaro Ushiku October 24, 2021 1
Bantamweight Kyoji Horiguchi December 31, 2020 0
Women's Super Atomweight Seika Izawa April 17, 2022 0

Championship history

Light Heavyweight Championship
Weight limit: 95 kg (209.4 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Jiří Procházka
def. Muhammed Lawal		 Rizin 15
Yokohama, Japan 		April 21, 2019 269 days 1. def. C. B. Dollaway at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019
Procházka vacated the title on January 15, 2020 after he signed with UFC.[39]

Lightweight Championship
Weight limit: 71 kg (156.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Roberto de Souza
def. Tofiq Musayev		 Rizin 28
Tokyo, Japan 		June 13, 2021 325 days

1. def. Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 33 on December 31, 2021
2. def. Johnny Case at Rizin 35 on April 17, 2022

Featherweight Championship
Weight limit: 66 kg (145.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Yutaka Saito
def. Mikuru Asakura		 Rizin 25
Osaka, Japan 		November 21, 2020 337 days
2 Juntaro Ushiku Rizin 31
Yokohama, Japan 		October 24, 2021 192 days 1. def. Yutaka Saito at Rizin 35 on April 17, 2022

Bantamweight Championship
Weight limit: 61 kg (134.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Kyoji Horiguchi
def. Darrion Caldwell		 Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan 		December 31, 2018 318 days
Horiguchi was stripped the title on November 14, 2019 after was unable to defend the title due to injury.[40]
2 Manel Kape
def. Kai Asakura		 Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan		 December 31, 2019 92 days
Kape vacated he title on April 1, 2020 after he signed with the UFC.[41]
3 Kai Asakura
def. Hiromasa Ougikubo		 Rizin 23
Yokohama, Japan 		August 10, 2020 143 days
4 Kyoji Horiguchi (2) Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan 		December 31, 2020 489 days

Women's Super Atomweight Championship
Weight limit: 49 kg (108.0 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign Defenses
1 Ayaka Hamasaki
def. Kanna Asakura		 Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan 		December 31, 2018 365 days 1. def. Jinh Yu Frey at Rizin 16 on June 2, 2019
2 Seo Hee Ham Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan 		December 31, 2019 293 days
On October 19, Seo Hee Ham vacated her title after being unable to agree on her next fight with the organization and signed with ONE Championship.[42]
3 Ayaka Hamasaki (2)
def. Miyuu Yamamoto		 Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan 		December 31, 2020 489 days 1. def. Kanna Asakura at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021
4 Seika Izawa Rizin 35
Chōfu, Japan 		April 17, 2022 17 days

Grand-Prix Champions

MMA
Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
Rizin Heavyweight 100 kg 2015 Muhammed Lawal Jiří ProcházkaRizin WGP 2015: Part 2 - IzaDecember 31, 2015Rizin 100 Kg Grand-Prix bracket
Rizin Openweight 2016 Mirko Filipović Amir AliakbariRizin WGP 2016: Final RoundDecember 31, 2016Rizin Openweight Grand Prix 2016 bracket
Rizin Bantamweight 61 kg 2017 Kyoji Horiguchi Shintaro IshiwatariRizin WGP 2017: Final RoundDecember 31, 2017Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2017 bracket
Rizin Women's Super Atomweight 49 kg 2017 Kanna Asakura Rena KubotaRizin WGP 2017: Final RoundDecember 31, 2017Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Grand Prix 2017 bracket
Rizin Lightweight 71 kg 2019 Tofiq Musayev Patricky PitbullRizin 20December 31, 2019Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix bracket
Rizin Bantamweight 61 kg 2021 Hiromasa Ougikubo Kai AsakuraRizin 33December 31, 2021Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix bracket

Kickboxing
Weight ClassChampionRunner-UpEventDateTournament Bracket
Rizin KICK Flyweight 57 kg 2017 Tenshin Nasukawa Yamato FujitaRizin WGP 2017: Final RoundDecember 31, 2017Rizin Flyweight KB Tournament
Rizin KICK Bantamweight 61 kg 2021 Taiju Shiratori Kouzi Rizin 29June 27, 2021

Records

Most wins in title bouts
Title wins Champion Division W D NC L
4 Ayaka Hamasaki Super Atomweight 4 0 0 2
3 Roberto de Souza Lightweight 3 0 0 0
2 Kyoji Horiguchi Bantamweight 2 0 0 1
Juntaro Ushiku Featherweight 2 0 0 0

Most consecutive title defenses
Defenses Champion Division Period
2 Roberto de Souza Lightweight June 13, 2021 – present
1 Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super Atomweight December 31, 2018 – December 31, 2019
Jiří Procházka Light Heavyweight April 21, 2019 – January 15, 2020
Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super Atomweight December 31, 2020 – present
Juntaro Ushiku Featherweight October 24, 2021 – present

Champions by nationality

The division champions include only linear and true champions. Interim champions who have never become linear champions will be listed as interim champions. Fighters with multiple title reigns in a specific division will also be counted once. Runners-up are not included in tournaments champions.

CountryDivision
champions		Interim
champions		Tournaments
champions		Total
 Japan 6 - 3 9
 Brazil 1 - - 1
 Angola 1 - - 1
 Czech Republic 1 - - 1
 South Korea 1 - - 1
 United States - - 1 1
 Azerbaijan - - 1 1
 Croatia - - 1 1

Notable fighters
Main article: List of current Rizin FF fighters

Affiliated organizations

Rizin FF is affiliated with the following organizations:[43]

See also

References
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  2. "Former Pride FC boss: Fedor's opponent will mean something for future of MMA". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
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  11. FEG's bankruptcy, May 17, 2012, Muay Thai TV
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  13. Fedor Emelianenko Returns To MMA On New Year’s Eve
  14. RIZIN Japan - What We Can Expect From The Newcomer
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  26. "Concept". rizinff.com. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  27. Brady, James (2018-11-04). "Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he never agreed to face undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  28. "Mayweather-Nasukawa a laughable event". ESPN.com. 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  29. Sherdog.com. "Rizin to Stage First Event in Cage on Nov. 28 Titled Rizin 'Trigger 1st'". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  30. Video:Fedor: Return Of The Last Emperor
  31. "Event Summary Rizen Fighting Federation". rizinff.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  32. "Rizin FF Partners with FITE TV". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  33. "Rules". Rizin Fighting Federation. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  34. "Musings on new RIZIN rules, the art of judging and JMOC". The Fighter. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  35. "Musings on new RIZIN rules, the art of judging and JMOC". The Fighter. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  36. "Bruno Massami on Twitter 31-12-2019". gazetaesportiva.com.
  37. "Floyd Mayweather dominates Tenshin Nasukawa in exhibition". japantimes.co.jp.
  38. "Rizin Heisei's Last Yarennoka! and RIZIN 14 official results and post fight backstage interviews". fightbookmma.com.
  39. Brett Okamoto (January 15, 2020). "UFC signs European light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka". espn.com.
  40. Nolan King (November 14, 2019). "Kyoji Horiguchi withdraws from Rizin FF 20 due to knee injury, subsequently vacates title". mmajunkie.com.
  41. Jesse Holland (April 2, 2020). "RIZIN cancels April and May events, vacates bantamweight title". mmamania.com.
  42. "Seo Hee Ham vacates Rizin super atomweight title". asianmma.com. October 16, 2020.
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